Photo by: Austin Perryman/MSU Athletics
Clayton Loving Life At MSU After Enrolling Early
March 24, 2022 | Football
STARKVILLE – Jacarius Clayton committed to Mississippi State in June 2019 before he had even played a snap of varsity football.
Clayton camped at MSU that summer and the coaching staff was so impressed with the Tupelo product's athleticism and size at that age that they offered him a scholarship on the spot.
"When I got that offer, I was surprised but I knew there were going to be more to come," Clayton said. "It was definitely a good experience to get attention that early. I didn't even know what position I was going to play. I was playing H-back and tight end at the time."
There was even thought that if Clayton continued to grow that he could contribute on the Bulldogs' offensive line by the time he reached college. As it turns out, he will be helping State's line but on the defensive side of the ball.
Clayton was considered a four-star prospect by Rivals.com last year and ranked as the No. 16 strongside defensive end in the country.
But even though Clayton committed to the Bulldogs early on in his recruitment, Mississippi State would have a fight on its hands to get the talented instate prospect on campus. In fact, he de-committed from the Bulldogs two years after making his initial pledge and was committed to their rival Ole Miss for nearly six months before flipping back on national signing day in December.
"I just had to decide which one was going to fit me the best and put me in the best position to go to the next level," Clayton said. "The day before signing day, I just did a lot of thinking and just had to go with my heart. I've been loving it here so far."
Clayton graduated early and enrolled at MSU in January. He is hoping the extra reps he receives during spring practice coupled with the Bulldogs' offseason conditioning program will give him a leg up on the rest of the freshmen class that are arriving later.
"I thought coming early would help me be ahead of all people that are coming in the summertime," Clayton said. "I know I have a lot of stuff I need to work on personally, so I felt it was best for me to just go on and come early."
The 6-foot-6 Clayton arrived on campus at 275 pounds and endured the Bulldogs' offseason strength training along with Mike Leach's "Midnight Maneuvers", a series of evening team workouts focused towards endurance and conditioning.
"I actually came in at a good weight so now I've just been turning that into muscle," Clayton said. "I can see the progress already."
Clayton won't be the only former Golden Wave standout on Mississippi State's defense next season. Rising senior linebacker Jett Johnson is someone Clayton looked up to at Tupelo High School but this spring will be the first opportunity the two have shared the same field together.
"It's crazy," Clayton said. "We didn't play together in high school because he was like way older. When I saw him really start getting on the field last year, I was probably even more excited than he was."
Clayton is projected to play the three-technique on the Bulldogs' defensive line but may also line up on the edge some as well. He has been locked in on getting better since he arrived in Starkville two-plus months ago and is looking forward to seeing how much his efforts are paying off whenever he hits the practice fields on Thursday.
"I'm just focused on improving," Clayton said. "Of course, I'm going to try to be the best but I want to improve myself. I want to see results from all the work I've put in. I want to see some progress in myself."
Clayton camped at MSU that summer and the coaching staff was so impressed with the Tupelo product's athleticism and size at that age that they offered him a scholarship on the spot.
"When I got that offer, I was surprised but I knew there were going to be more to come," Clayton said. "It was definitely a good experience to get attention that early. I didn't even know what position I was going to play. I was playing H-back and tight end at the time."
There was even thought that if Clayton continued to grow that he could contribute on the Bulldogs' offensive line by the time he reached college. As it turns out, he will be helping State's line but on the defensive side of the ball.
Clayton was considered a four-star prospect by Rivals.com last year and ranked as the No. 16 strongside defensive end in the country.
But even though Clayton committed to the Bulldogs early on in his recruitment, Mississippi State would have a fight on its hands to get the talented instate prospect on campus. In fact, he de-committed from the Bulldogs two years after making his initial pledge and was committed to their rival Ole Miss for nearly six months before flipping back on national signing day in December.
"I just had to decide which one was going to fit me the best and put me in the best position to go to the next level," Clayton said. "The day before signing day, I just did a lot of thinking and just had to go with my heart. I've been loving it here so far."
Clayton graduated early and enrolled at MSU in January. He is hoping the extra reps he receives during spring practice coupled with the Bulldogs' offseason conditioning program will give him a leg up on the rest of the freshmen class that are arriving later.
"I thought coming early would help me be ahead of all people that are coming in the summertime," Clayton said. "I know I have a lot of stuff I need to work on personally, so I felt it was best for me to just go on and come early."
The 6-foot-6 Clayton arrived on campus at 275 pounds and endured the Bulldogs' offseason strength training along with Mike Leach's "Midnight Maneuvers", a series of evening team workouts focused towards endurance and conditioning.
"I actually came in at a good weight so now I've just been turning that into muscle," Clayton said. "I can see the progress already."
Clayton won't be the only former Golden Wave standout on Mississippi State's defense next season. Rising senior linebacker Jett Johnson is someone Clayton looked up to at Tupelo High School but this spring will be the first opportunity the two have shared the same field together.
"It's crazy," Clayton said. "We didn't play together in high school because he was like way older. When I saw him really start getting on the field last year, I was probably even more excited than he was."
Clayton is projected to play the three-technique on the Bulldogs' defensive line but may also line up on the edge some as well. He has been locked in on getting better since he arrived in Starkville two-plus months ago and is looking forward to seeing how much his efforts are paying off whenever he hits the practice fields on Thursday.
"I'm just focused on improving," Clayton said. "Of course, I'm going to try to be the best but I want to improve myself. I want to see results from all the work I've put in. I want to see some progress in myself."
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